Pillow construction

ABSTRACT

A pillow includes an inner pillow core that includes a first portion that has a first firmness and a second portion that has a second firmness. The first firmness is greater than the second firmness resulting in the first portion having a firmer feel relative to the second portion. An outer case is provided for placement over the inner pillow core and is configured to receive the inner pillow core and is removable therefrom. The outer case has a first side and an opposing seconds side. The first side has heat retention properties, while the second side has cooling properties.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/645,500, filed Mar. 20, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to pillows and more particularly, relates to a pillow and pillow case that provide different user experiences depending upon which side of the pillow is used.

BACKGROUND

Pillows are commonly used as part of bedding and people typically have two or three pillows on their bed. Pillows typically include a main inner pillow core and a pillow cover (outer case) that covers the main pillow core. Today, pillows are stuffed primarily with materials such as polyester (a synthetic), feathers, down, or a combination of the latter two. The least expensive pillows to manufacture are polyester, although they are the most durable, easily washed, and cause few allergic reactions. The most expensive is the pillow filled with goose down. Feathers are a moderately priced stuffing. Some higher-end pillows may be filled with a combination of goose feathers and down, and that ratio may be varied extensively according to price point (the more down, the more expensive). The traditional filler for pillows was, until recently, down and feather. However, as fabrics changed, so too did yarns. Synthetic polyester filling has replaced natural batts as it is has acceptable loft and shape retention, is relatively inexpensive, may be washed, and few people are allergic to it.

Conventional pillows offer one type of user experience since they are typically uniformly formed. There is a need and desire to offer a pillow that offers multiple user experiences.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a pillow is provided and includes an inner pillow core that includes a first portion that has a first firmness and a second portion that has a second firmness. The first firmness is greater than the second firmness resulting in the first portion having a firmer feel relative to the second portion. An outer case is provided for placement over the inner pillow core and is configured to receive the inner pillow core and is removable therefrom. The outer case has a first side and an opposing seconds side. The first side has heat retention properties, while the second side has cooling properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pillow in accordance with the present invention showing the various parts thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The pillow 100 is formed mainly of two parts, namely, a first part in the form of an inner pillow body (pillow core) 200 and an outer case (covering) (pillow case) 300 that envelopes the pillow body 200 and is removable therefrom.

The inner pillow body 200 can take any number of different shapes and come in different sizes. The inner pillow body 200 is constructed so that a first portion 210 has a firm construction, while a second portion 220 has a softer construction. In other words, the inner pillow body 200 has a firm side on one side of the pillow and a softer side on the other side of the pillow 100. Thus, when the user wants to experience a softer feeling pillow, the user simply rests his or her head against the second portion 220, while if the user wants to experience a firmer feeling pillow, the user simply rests his or her head against the first portion 210.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 210 comprises a first half of the pillow body 200 and the second portion 220 comprises a second half of the pillow body 200. However, it will be appreciated that the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 can have different relative sizes in that one of the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 can be larger than the other portion. For example, ⅔ of the pillow body 200 can be formed of one of the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 and the remaining ⅓ of the pillow body 200 can be formed of the other of the first portion 210 and the second portion 220. In other words, the thickness of the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 can be selected and varied.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first portion 210 comprises 10 mm thick 25D regular foam (e.g., a polyurethane based foam or other suitable foam)(e.g., a non-memory foam) (which can be a block of foam), while the second portion 220 comprises 10 mm thick 40D memory foam (e.g., a polyurethane based foam or other suitable foam). Thus, the pillow body 200 is formed of foam having two different densities which results in the pillow body 200 having different properties, including different stiffness. It will also be appreciated that the first portion 210 can be made with firm/harder memory foam as opposed to regular foam. The second portion 220 can also be formed of other materials including use of a 10 mm thick 28D memory foam.

In one embodiment, the first portion 210 and second portion 220 define a shell that can contain pieces of cut foam, such as memory foam chips or clusters of various qualities and densities. The first portion 210 can be filled with memory foam clusters of a first type, while the second portion 220 can be filled with memory foam clusters of a second type that is different than the first in at least one characteristic, such as density, size, etc. Alternatively, the first portion 210 and second portion 220 can be formed of blocks of material having different properties as described herein, such as a block of regular (non-memory) foam and a block of memory foam.

As shown, the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 can be coupled to one another using traditional techniques, such as adhesively bonding, heat bonding, etc., so as to form, in one embodiment, a joined inner pillow body.

The inner pillow body 200 can also include an interior pillow cover 230 that is disposed about the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 which are integral to one another to form the pillow body 200. Any number of suitable interior pillow covers 230 can be used to surround and protect the inner pillow body. For example, the interior pillow cover 230 can be formed of jersey knit 100 GSM material; however, other materials can be equally used. The jersey knit material thus provides an inner case structure that encapsulates the inner pillow body (core) 200 and provides structural integrity for the pillow body (core) 200. The jersey knit material is intended not to open and instead is attached about the pillow body 200 and therefore, the jersey knit structure (inner pillow cover 230) can be formed of multiple panels that are stitched to one another. However, in certain embodiments, the inner pillow cover 230 can be capable of separation from the inner pillow body (core) 200.

The interior pillow cover 230 helps to ensure that the core (pillow body 200) doesn't rip when the user is removing the outer case 300 either to wash or change cool and warm sides of the outer case 300 as discussed below.

The outer case (covering) 300 functions like a traditional pillow case in that it is intended to receive and envelope the inner pillow body (core) 200 including the inner pillow cover 230 and is intended to be freely removable from the inner pillow body 200. In accordance with the present invention, the outer case 300 has a non-uniform construction and has different properties to provide different functionality to the user. In particular, the outer case 300 has a cool side 310 and has a warm side 320 and depending upon whether the user wishes to have: (1) a warming experience in which heat is better contained within the pillow 100 and as a result, the pillow 100 feels warm to the user or (2) a cooling experience in which improved air flow along this side of the pillow results in a cooling effect.

As discussed herein, the cool side 310 and the warm side 320 of the outer case 300 can be formed of panels that are joined together along select edges using conventional techniques, such as stitching, to form a joined case structure with an inner space (compartment) that receives the inner pillow body 200. The pillow is constructed such that along at least one side of the outer case 300, an opening is formed to allow access into the hollow interior space (inner compartment). In the illustrated embodiment, the outer case 300 is joined along three side with the opening being formed along a fourth side. Any number of different types of closures can be used to close off the fourth side including but not limited to a zipper, buttons, snaps, hook and loop material, etc.

The cool side 310 of the outer case 300 is formed of two discrete layers and more specifically, is formed of an inner layer 312 and an outer layer 314. The inner layer 312 is the layer that faces the inner pillow body 200, while the outer layer 314 comprises the layer that the user's head rests against. The cool side 310 is designed to provide moisture management and have increased airflow and more particularly and according to one embodiment, the outer layer 314 is formed of a moisture wicking fabric such as cooling polyester with specially designed yarns that wicks away moisture and keeps the user's skin cool. For example, the outer layer 314 can be formed of 280 GSM 40% etched poly/60% reg. polyester; however, other materials can be used. The inner layer 312 is a layer that provides increased airflow and more specifically, the inner layer 312 can be in the form of a layer of spacer (3D) mesh material. For example, the inner layer 312 can be in the form of a 3 mm thick layer of 120 GSM spacer mesh material (e.g., AdaptiveAir mesh). It will be appreciated that the open mesh side of layer 312 faces up towards the user. As is known, spacer mesh, also called 3D mesh and sandwich mesh is essentially three separate layers of fabric knit together—a face and a back connected by a monofilament yarn to produce the “connecting cushion”.

The footprint of the inner layer 312 and the outer layer 314 can be the same or in other embodiment, they can differ. For example, the inner layer 312 can occupy less area than the footprint of the outer layer 314 and can be patched onto the outer layer 314.

The warm side 320 of the outer case 300 is formed of two discrete layers and more specifically, is formed of an inner layer 322 and an outer layer 324. The inner layer 322 is the layer that faces the inner pillow body 200, while the outer layer 324 comprises the layer that the user's head rests against. In one embodiment, the outer layer 324 is formed of 210 GSM micro velboa material (fabric, such as polyester and/or polyester blend); however, other materials can be used. The inner layer 322 is a reflective heat sheet which is designed to reduce thermal radiation and trap the user's body heat within the outer layer 324 to provide a warm feel to the user's head. The reflective heat sheet 322 can be in the form of metallic printing (printed layer) formed on a substrate, such as 110 GSM knit fabric. It will be appreciated that the reflective heat printing of layer 322 faces up towards the user. One type of reflective heat sheet is commercially available under the name TEMPTEXX; however, other heat reflective elements can equally be used. The inner layer 322 thus faces the inner pillow (pillow core) and serves to reduce thermal radiation.

The footprint of the inner layer 322 and the outer layer 324 can be the same or in other embodiment, they can differ. For example, the inner layer 322 can occupy less area than the footprint of the outer layer 324 and can be patched onto the outer layer 324.

The first portion 210 and second portion 220 can be adhered to one another using any number of conventional means including but not limited to bonding, such as adhesives, heat bonding, etc.

The footprint of the first portion 210 and second portion 220 can differ in that the height of one of the first portion 210 and second portion 220 can be different than the height of the other of the first portion 210 and second portion 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the two portions 210, 220 have essentially identical footprints; however, this is only exemplary and not limiting of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the pillow 100 offers the user a number of different properties and features that alter the performance of the pillow 100. In particular, the inner pillow core (inner pillow body 200) allows the user to choose either a firm pillow feel by placing the first (firm) portion 210 in an upward facing position or a softer pillow feel by placing the second (softer) portion 220 in an upward facing position.

The user has a second choice to make in that the user can choose between a cooling experience or a warming experience. Since the outer case 300 is removable from the inner pillow body 200, the user simply selects which side of the outer case 300 faces upright against the selected first portion 210 or second portion 220 that likewise faces upright.

There are thus at least four pillow modes that can be selected, namely, a first mode which that comprises a firm cool pillow, a second mode that comprises a soft cool pillow; a third mode that comprises a firm warm pillow, and a fourth mode that comprises a soft warm pillow. The user can thus easily alter and customize the performance and characteristics of the pillow 100 based on individual preference.

The user can also a different, more traditional type of cover (pillow case) with the inner pillow described herein and the cover (pillow case) can be used with a traditional inner pillow.

Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pillow comprising: an inner pillow core that includes a first portion that has a first firmness and a second portion that has a second firmness, the first firmness being greater than the second firmness resulting in the first portion having a firmer feel relative to the second portion; and an outer case that is configured to receive the inner pillow core and is removable therefrom, the outer case having a first side and an opposing seconds side, the first side having heat retention properties, while the second side having cooling properties.
 2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a non-memory foam sheet and the second portion comprises a memory foam.
 3. The pillow of claim 2, wherein the first portion comprises a 25D polyurethane foam and the second portion comprises a 40D memory foam.
 4. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first side comprises two layers and the second side comprises two layers.
 5. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first side comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer comprising a reflective heat sheet.
 6. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the second side comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer comprising a spacer mesh layer.
 7. The pillow of claim 6, wherein the outer layer comprises a moisture management fabric.
 8. The pillow of claim 7, wherein the outer layer has moisture wicking properties.
 9. The pillow of claim 5, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer have the same footprint.
 10. The pillow of claim 6, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer have the same footprint.
 11. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion have the same thickness.
 12. The pillow of claim 6, wherein the spacer mesh layer has a thickness of 3 mm.
 13. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the inner pillow core further includes a covering that surrounds the inner pillow core.
 14. The pillow of claim 13, wherein the covering is formed of a jersey knit fabric.
 15. A pillow providing a number of different user experiences depending upon an orientation of the pillow comprising: an inner pillow core that includes a first portion that is formed of a non-memory polyfoam material that has a first density and a second portion formed of a memory foam that has a second density, the second density being greater than the first density; and an outer case that is configured to receive the inner pillow core and is removable therefrom, the outer case having a first side and an opposing seconds side, the first side having heat retention properties as a result of having a reflective heat element disposed along an inner face of the first side of the outer case, while the second side having cooling properties as a result of being formed of a spacer mesh inner layer and an outer layer that has moisture wicking properties; wherein the pillow has: (1) a first orientation in which the first portion of the inner pillow core faces upward and is covered by the first side of the outer case; (2) a second orientation in which the second portion of the inner pillow core faces upward and is covered by the second side of the outer case; (3) a third orientation in which the second portion of the inner pillow core faces upward and is covered by the first side of the outer case; and (4) a fourth orientation in which the second portion of the inner pillow core faces upward and is covered by the second side of the outer case.
 16. An outer case for a pillow comprising: a first side and an opposing seconds side that are joined together along peripheral edges thereof except for a first end which is open for receiving the pillow, the first side having heat retention properties as a result of having a reflective heat element disposed along an inner face of the first side of the outer case, while the second side has cooling properties as a result of being formed of a spacer mesh inner layer and an outer layer that has moisture wicking properties.
 17. The outer case of claim 16, wherein the reflective heat elements comprises a reflective heat sheet that is layered along the inner face and wherein an outer layer of the first side is formed of a different material than the outer layer of the second side of the outer case. 